Thomas County cat., 1887-11-03
MINE OWN VINEYARD.
Why the Keeper of Other Vineyards Need
First of all Experience In His Own.

Why the Keeper of Other Vineyards Needs
First Of all Experience in His Own.
''Thcy made me the keeper of the
vineyards. but mine own vineyard have
1 not kept" Something like this pa.
thetic plant from the song of songs
might be the outcry of many hearts in
these days of Christian and philan-
ihropic activity. The pastor. the Sum
day-school teacher or superintendent.
the parent. the missionary worker,
any one who has been appointed to
plan for others and finds his tasks un-
RENTING and his burden heavy, stands
in peril of neglecting his own spiritual
nurture. For the soul does not grow
without care. 1t is true we are
rightly told that work is the best cure
for doubt, and that religious activity
is quite as necessary for spiritual
health as physical exercise for
the body. There are few Chris
tians of whom we dare say they
are doing too much for their fellow
men. There are many of whom it is
10 be feared the Divine judgment must
be that they are putting stress upon
outside work, rather than interior de-
vclopment and personal cultivation of
the fruits Of the Spirit The preacher
may apply all the force of the text to
his nearer, forgetting his own barren
and thirsty soul. The Sunday-school
teacher may stay at home from Sab
bath worship to prepare the lesson for
his class. but he runs sad risk of
losing the influence of God upon his
spirit. impoverished by the demand;
of a week in the dust and CRIME of the
world. The physician. too. may allow
his Sabbaths to be crowded out. and
his time and strength absorbed in car
ing for other vineyards. What is to
keep the rank weeds of maierialism
from choking out the precious plants
If faith and love once rooted in his
soul?
In lofty and noble sense mans
first duty is to himself. A soul right
with God is the essential qualification
for successful service. We can rre-
sent God to the world only rs we see
and love him in Jesus Christ. We do
not see enough of Him if we are con-
stan,ly engrosSed by even the duties
which are called Christian. To "grow
in grace and in the knowledge OF
Christ" there must be seasons of still
oh
the voice of the Lord. Every soul
needs the quiet culture and enrich
mcnt that comes only from waiting
upon God in His Word and in the
closet.
The nature of the best man or WON.
an is prone 10 evil. Vanity. impa-
tience. spiritual pride and dogma;iSm
spring up from the native soil. and
gain ground with frightful rapidity
and strength. even while we are alb
sorbed in our appointed duty to 9TH
ers. Consciousness is an easy
fault for those whose position
or ability is somewhat conspicuous.
The hear. is full of germs. all unsus-
pccted in their vitality and evil power.
Nothing but faithful watching unto
prayer and openness to Divine disci-
pline ever eradicates them. There is
no one among US who does not need to
join in the litany: From all blind
ness of heart; from pride. vain-glory
and hypocrisy; from envy. hatred and
malice. and all uncharita bleness, good
Lord deliver us"
The ancient monk forgot a dying
word in caring for his own soul in the
seclusion of the cloister The pendu-
lum has now swung to the other ex-
treme, and in bustling activity men
need to be reminded of their own per-
sonal needs before God. Laborare est
Orare. but only the labor that springs
from a heart aglow with the thought
of Gods mercy and mans need. 1t is
blessed TO work obediently to the
Masters command. but the teacher
must first and constantly be learner.
The keeper of other vineyards needs
first of all. and all the while, expe-
rience in his own. Chicago Adrance.
in making the violets God used